Corn-harvester.



E. C. VARNER.

CORN HARVESTER. `APPLICATION man MAR.8.19|1-.

1,242,084. R Patented om. 2, 1.917.

. I attonwq conn-HARVESTER.

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l Specification of LettersvPatent.

Patented oet;V e, ieri.

Application led March 8, 191.7. Serial NoA 153,424.

To all whom t may concern .i

Be it known that I, EDWARD-C. VARNER, 4a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of 0hio,`ha ve invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters,4 of which the following is a. specication, reference beingl had to the accompanying drawings.

lZlhis invention relates-to certain improvements in corn harvesters and it is an obj-.ect of the invention 4to. provide a device of this general character of a novel and improved construction whereby the same may be adjusted to meet conditions, such as hillsides and very rough ground.

lt is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this character including a platform and main supporting wheels for said platform and -wherein said platform is capable of swingmovement relative tothe sup-porting wheels so that in the event of either or both of the supporting wheels. striking an ob struction, the jar upon the platform will be substantially entirely eliminated.

The invention consists inthe details of construction and in theA combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved corn harvester whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, allv as will be hereinafter more fully set fort i The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a view in perspective of a corn harvester constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, one of the main supporting wheels being omitted; and

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of a type of caster wheel which may be employed in my improved device.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, l denotes a platform substantially V` shape in form with its apex forwardly directed. Extending rearwardly of the platform l are the bearings 2 through which is loosely directed the intermediate portion of the shaft 3.

The shaft 3 is substantially U-shape in forni and the arms 4. thereof are directed through. the sleeves 5. carried by the inner ends` of the spindles 6. Mounted uponv the spindles 6l are` the mai-n supporting wheels N preferably of a materially large diameter so that the travel of the devicemay be matei rially facilitated.. Threaded' throughfthe sleeves 5. are the binding screws. 7 wherebyy it will bel perceived' that said" sleeves 5. may be effectively held at different' positions longitudinally of theuarms llv which' the necessities of' practice require. It will also' be self-evident that the sleeves 5 will ermitv the spindles 6: tot be arranged at di -erent angles relative to the longitudinal: axis of the platform as the necessities of practice may require. This, adijzustment of' thesleeves 5 is of particular advantage wheny the device is adapted for use upon a hillside.

The apex portion ofthe platform l is pro.- vided with the `upwardly directed andl forwardly disposed arcuate arm S. Resting upon theI upper portion of the arm 8- is the cross member 9 and rotatablydisposed through thel upper portion of said! arm 8 and the cross member' 9 is the stem or shank 1'0 o-f the caster wheel lli. Fixed to the forward end. portion of the longitudinally disposed beam la' carried by and positioned abovex the platform l is a forwardly directed arm: l2

throirgh.v which the shankV or stem lOf is 'also loosely :directed whereby the cross member 9 is capable of swinging movement; tending inwardly from the member 9.- is the arena-te rack. l5 with which coeacts the latch y 14 carried by the beam l so that the shafts 16 may be locl'redfin rigid relation to the platform 1 in various positions so that the guiding of the machine will be under control of the main supporting wheels W.

lilith the use of my improved device the caster, wheel ll. serves mainly for the support of the forward portionof the device vand to facilitate turning the machine around. lt will be perceived however that by locking the cross member 9 in a predetermined position the machine may be caused tQ travel at such an angle as to properly follow a row of corn or other grain without creeping down on a hillside.

Coacting with the arm 8 are the bracing members 17 coacting with the upper portion of said arm and with the platform l. Pivotally engaged at their forward ends with the forward portion of the side margins of icc Miti

dent.

This is of particular advantage when the device is not in use. In operation suiiicient weight is placed upon the platform 1 to prevent the raising of the cutting blades 18 to a height detrimental to the successful operation of the device. It has been fully demonstrated in actual practice that the weight of two persons standing upon the platform 1 suffices to hold the platform 1 in working position as the harvester is drawn forwardly. At the most the platform 1 cannot be `drawn above the spindles 6 and the extent of possible upward swinging movement of the platform 1 can be readily controlled by adjusting the sleeves 5 longitudinally 0f the arms 4.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be'obvious that a corn harvester constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and' comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and vmodilication without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation 0f the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: y

1. A device of the character described comprising a platform provided with cutfing means, bearings extending rearwardly of the platform, a shaft loosely disposed through said bearings and'terminating in upstanding arms, spindle-carrying sleeves engageable with said arms and movable longitudinally thereof and axially therearound, supporting wheels mounted upon the spind'les, a vertically disposedstem rotatably supported by the forward portion of the platform, a wheel operatively engaged with the stem, and means for holding the stem against rotation. i

3. A device of the character described comprising a platform provided with cutting means, bearings extending rearwardly of the platform, a shaft loosely disposed throughv said bearings and terminating in upstanding arms, spindle-carrying sleeves engageable with said arms and movable longitudinally thereof and axially therearound,

EDWARD C. VARNER. Witnesses R. B. MoCRoRY, VVILBER F.` VARNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

